Beyond the immediate risks to a patient’s life, doctors must also identify other bodily damage. In this program, Dr. Gunther von Hagens examines the kinds of injuries that can lead to permanent disability if not quickly addressed. Dissecting a female body donor who died after falling from a window, von Hagens locates fractures throughout her skeleton, explains how bones break, and bends a human spine to discover how much force it can withstand before snapping. The program then investigates the causes and consequences of brain damage. Re-creating head injury to the exposed brain of another cadaver, von Hagens illustrates how the rigid, closely fitting skull can actually damage the brain it is meant to protect.

Postmortem x-rays reveal the skeletal damage sustained when a woman fell from a balcony. There are multiple rib fractures, broken clavicle, fractured hips, and fractured femur to name a few.

2. Cadaver Dissection: Fractured Clavicle (03:58)

Dr. von Hagens makes the initial Y-cut on a cadaver to expose a fractured clavicle.

3. Structure of Bones and Bone Fractures (01:31)

Bones have a thick outline called the cortex, which gives bones their strength. The cortex is reinforced with the underlying matrix of calcium. Types of bone fractures vary with age.

4. Anatomy of a Fractured Femur (03:27)

The fracture occurs at the neck of the femur as demonstrated by Dr. von Hagens who extracts a femur from a cadaver. The fracture is illustrated on a live model and is confirmed on x-rays taken after the death of the victim.

5. Anatomy of Rib Fractures (01:47)

Dissection of a human cadaver reveals rib fractures suffered when the victim fell from a balcony to her death. The rib fractures are highlighted on a live model and are confirmed on chest x-rays taken after the death of the victim.

6. Vital Organs of the Chest (02:39)

Dr. von Hagens removes the chest and abdominal shield from the cadaver of a fall victim who sustained multiple fractures and organ damage. The dissection reveals massive amounts of blood lost from the internal injuries.

7. Vertebral Fractures and Vulnerability (05:02)

The vertebral column supports the human frame as well as protects the spinal cord from injury. Dr. von Hagens identifies fractured vertebrae in a dissected cadaver. The spine is vulnerable to violent force and twisting action.

8. Spinal Cord Damage (03:09)

Different levels of spinal cord injury have different effects up to and including tetraplegia or paralysis from the neck down. Severe fracture of the vertebral column does not necessarily result in spinal cord damage.

9. First Aid for Spinal Cord Injuries (03:01)

First responders observe the immediate surroundings of an injured person to determine what might have caused the injury. Keep the victim still and calm.

10. Description of Fatal Accident (01:28)

After dissection, Dr. von Hagens analyses what happened at the point of impact when the victim hit the ground after falling from a balcony. A live model demonstrates how the body landed.

11. Anatomy of Brain Trauma (03:28)

The jelly-like brain, protected by the skull, can sustain damage from external force. It can also ricochet between sides of the interior skull after violent impact. Dr. von Hagens exposes the brain of a cadaver.

12. Demonstration of Brain Injury (04:47)

A violent blow to the back of the head causes the brain to strike the front of the skull. The microscopic matrix of the brain is vulnerable to injuries. Symptoms of injury include headache, and personality changes, and neurological problems.

13. Pressure on the Brain (03:13)

A CT scan reveals a large mass of blood between the skull and brain. The resultant pressure on the brain can cause headache, illness, and possible death. If the blood is drained within 4 hours, permanent brain damage can be prevented.

14. Brittle Bone and Sprains (02:53)

There are two types of "brittle bone." Sprains come about when ligaments are strained beyond normal limits. Apply cold or ice immediately to a sprain. After a while, wrap the sprained joint and elevate the area.